Thursday, March 4, 2010

Pure Country

I never really had a thing for country music until I went on this date with this kid named Fuzz, and fell asleep on our long drive home listening to him sing it to me-- and now I really do love it-- well, most of it. Fuzz left me with his hard drive last time he was here and I feel like I've got a whole blockbuster in my hand-- it's got so many fun movies on it! I've posted a clip below of one of my new favorite movies, Pure Country, with my new favorite song that I found on his drive. I was telling Fuzz about it and he was like, "Yea I know that song, and I already put it on your Ipod for you like a year or so ago;)" Isn't he the best-- he know's what I like before even I do!

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i4raUtb_iI

Hope you like it. . . kinda hard not to. . . haha ;)

One Year Older . . .

It happens every year, birthdays. Everyone has them, but some people choose to accept them differently than others. I remember being 15 and telling everyone that I was just about 16 freedom-- haha right? And then 17 was just so close to being 18. . . that much more freedom haha okay, not really. 21 is a special age for lots of people, but because I don't drink it didn't matter so much, the only thing it meant to me was that I was starting to get old. 22 was fine, because for some reason this past year, not too many people have even asked me how old I am--I have had to remind myself of how old I am-- for some reason that's a lot bigger deal for a young single girl in Utah than here in New York.
23-- wow! haha now I feel old. I had planned on being married with a kid maybe even another on the way by the time I hit that number! Obviously, I'm not where I thought I'd be, but I'm grateful for where I am. I think about not having come out here-- and my heart stops. I feel like in more ways than one, I found myself here in New York. I have had such incredible opportunities that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I have met, lived, and worked with some of the greatest people I have ever known. They've all taught me so much. It will definitely be a bittersweet farewell to my New York city adventure come the end of this month, when I leave this place I love. I have learned such valuable life lessons, learned so much about myself, so many things about all the other kinds of people, ways of thinking, religions, cultures etc. I have encountered so many critical situations where I have relied on the power of prayer, the opportunity that I have to so freely express my concerns to my father in Heaven, and been astounded by the overwhelming response's he's given me. I have grown closer to him as I recognize the reality of our communication, and as I continue to include him in my life daily, whether it be a prayer for peace, direction or comfort, and especially my gratitude for all that I'm so undeservingly blessed with.


With all of this said, I am grateful to be 23, and to have had 23 years of learning behind me. I never want to stop. I have a good feeling about this 24th year of my life--- and I'm excited to begin it. haha and whenever I start feeling old, I just think about Fuzz. . . he'll be 26 in a couple weeks! haha just kidding Fuzz--I was just teasing-- really that's not old at all.


My birthday morning started with an amazing breakfast that Lexi made for me-- It was soo good-- and super nice of her! Everyone was so kind at work-- I really am so lucky to work with such neat people! Thank you everyone for your cards and sweet texts-- and fuzz, for your email;) all of you are what helped make my birthday so special!


Last night I met with some of my buddies at the Shake shake-- never been there before of course I conveniently planned that haha so I can check that off as another one of my new restaurants! The food was awesome, but the company was even better-- I was so glad that my friends could stop by on a weeknight, even if it was just for a few min, it was so much fun!

Another Excuse for New Tasty Treats

Last Friday work was cancelled because of the snow storm we'd had throughout the night. The trains into the city were all shut down and those of us that live on the island were snowed in-- Here's a pic of my front steps, and my neighbors car. . . yea he wasn't goin' anywhere for a while.





Crazy huh?!

Because I had no choice but to stay home, I was so grateful to have another day to work on some fun new recipes, and get things done around the house. . . here are some of my new recipes, I'm just about to my 20 mark that I was aiming for before I leave the city!


This is so simple it shouldn't even count as a new recipe-- but I'm counting it because it is one of my most favorite treats ever! This is just a brown rice cake, with crunchy peanut butter-- better if it's just plain without sugar added, and bananas! It really is sooo good;) Banana's are my new love-- I never really liked them until I moved here, and now I'm addicted!


I've been craving mom's granola lately. . . so I figured I would just make me some myself. . .


Tada! It even tastes yummy too!

This is one of my favorite soups-- and, of course another new recipe for me;) This is Lemon Rosemary, Chicken, and brown rice soup! (This picture really doesn't give it justice- so just use your imagination;)


I love stir fry's but tried a new kind-- Sweet Potato Stir Fry! My work sometimes orders sushi, and when they do-- because I'm weird about any seafood-- I get the sweet potato version of it instead. I didn't even know that kind existed-- but I love it! So I thought I would use that secret ingredient in a stir fry---- so good! My buddy Kendra introduced me to sweet potato fries-- until that time I wanted nothing to do with sweet potatoes, but now I love them! Mom use to fry potatoes to go with our meals sometimes and we'd eat them with Ketchup-- so I tried the same thing with sweet potatoes and they turned out to be delish!


Sunday, Lex and I hosted a group dinner for our ward; It's where whomever wants to participate signs up, we decide what the main course will be, and then give everybody an assignment;) It works out really well when everyone actually follows through with their assignments. As you can see, well at least I hope you can tell, we decided to make Hawaiian Haystacks-- new recipe for me, but something I already knew I'd love! We made this incredible discovery in the process. . . it's called Minute rice. I love brown rice, but it takes about a half an hour to 45 min to cook it-- Minute rice cooks in less than 5 and tastes great!
I made these Zucchini Chocolate Chip cookies for one of our desserts-- I know it sounds kinda weird, but don't judge them to harshly yet. . . you've gotta try them first!

Central Park in Winter



I got off of the subway a few weeks ago at Columbus Circle to do some grocery shopping, but found myself vering away from the shopping for a sec, drifting towards and eventually wandering into our beautiful park. I was literally mesmerized by it!Isn't it gorgeous?! I told myself I had five minutes to wander around. . . but I just couldn't leave, it was so pretty and there were so many fun things to see!



Here's the Plaza Hotel --- featured in Bride Wars.









Our beautiful skating rink. . .

Bridges everywhere. . .


Chess anyone? It really is a different world inside Central Park-- There is a zoo in there, rock climbing, trails, doggy parks, golfing greens, croquet, tennis quarts, fountains, statues, free entertainment, shows, ponds, boats, restaurants, merry go-around's, a water park, the secret garden, fun races, John Lennon's Strawberry Fields memorial, and the list goes on!




That day especially-- everyone wanted a carriage ride-- the park was filled with them!